Smith County

MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

An essential value of the American lifestyle is the freedom of mobility. The Census asks respondents to identify if they lived in the same residence 5 years prior to the survey. If not, they are asked the location of their previous residence. Between 1995 and 2000, only 54.13 percent of Americans remained in the same house. This rate has been fairly steady: between 1985 and 1990, 53.29 percent remained in the same house.

Regionally, the rates differ greatly. Nevada’s population was the most mobile. About 62.6 percent of Nevada residents in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of the Nevadans living in different houses, 40.2 percent were new arrivals to the state. On the other hand, Pennsylvania’s population was the most permanent. Only 36.5 percent of Pennsylvanians in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of these people, only 15.8 percent were new arrivals to Pennsylvania.

Migration, 2000: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census

Residence in 1995

Number

Percent

Same house

9,485

57.31%

Different house

7,066

42.69%

Same county

3,611

21.82%

Different county

3,360

20.30%

Same state

2,401

14.51%

Different State

959

5.79%

Elsewhere in 1995*

95

0.57%

Total Population Age 5+

16,551

100.00%

Migration, 1990: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census

Residence in 1985

Number

Percent

Same house

8,020

60.75%

Different house

5,181

39.25%

Same county

3,358

25.44%

Different county

1,807

13.69%

Same state

1,174

8.89%

Different State

633

4.80%

Elsewhere in 1985*

16

0.12%

Total Population Age 5+

13,201

100.00%

* "Elsewhere" includes those living in U.S. Island Areas, in foreign countries, and at sea.